Graham raises $341K in 1Q; Keyser raises $300K, Blaha rakes $100K

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Jack Graham, here with his wife, Ginger, turned in more than 1.500 petitions for the June 28 GOP primary. (Photo courtesy of Lynn Bartels/Colorado Secretary of State’s Office)

7:10 ET UPDATE: Adds 1Q figures for Robert Blaha.

WASHINGTON — Fundraising figures for the first three months of the year are still rolling in, but between three Republican candidates for U.S. Senate — Robert Blaha, Jack Graham and Jon Keyser — it looks as if Graham has the edge.

Graham’s campaign said Friday that he raised about $341,000 and enters the homestretch of the GOP primary with about $942,000 cash-on-hand — a warchest that was inflated by a $1 million loan from Graham, a political newcomer who once served as CSU’s athletic director.

“We start the second quarter with substantial cash-on-hand — that we will build on — and we look forward to the last two months of the campaign,” said Dick Wadhams, Graham’s campaign manager.

The primary is June 28.

Keyser, a former state lawmaker, will report about $300,000 raised in the first quarter with about $200,000 cash-on-hand. He loaned his campaign $100,000.

“As we move closer towards the June primary, our campaign now has significant momentum and I’m confident that with the continued support of those who wish to keep Colorado safe, secure and economically prosperous, we will be victorious not only in June, but also defeat Senator (Michael) Bennet in November,” said Keyser in a statement.

Meanwhile, businessman Robert Blaha netted about $100,000 in contributions but gave $1 million of his own money to the campaign, said Katey Price, his campaign manager. He has about $670,000 in cash-on-hand.

Today is the deadline for campaigns to file their fundraising reports for the first three months of 2016. Two other Republican candidates — Darryl Glenn and Ryan Frazier — have yet to announce their figures.

The incumbent, Democratic U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, has not released his figures either. He reported $6.7 million cash-on-hand to start the year.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.